January 2011
Newsletter Edition # 01, January 12, 2011
Dear Colleagues,
Happy New Year and welcome to the January 2011 edition of our monthly newsletter. This edition contains many interesting articles about important changes within the training industry, WorkCover announcements, important information for employers, as well as a link to all our training programs
We hope you enjoy these regular updates and also trust that you will have a safe and prosperous year.
Phil Stuart
General Manager
Public comment Draft model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations and model Codes of Practice
The public comment period for the draft model WHS Regulations and model Codes of Practice closes on Monday 4 April 2011, 5PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time.
All submissions must be accompanied by the Public Comment Submission Cover Sheet.
Please note that the submission documents below are official for the purposes of the public comment process.
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/Legislation/PublicComment/Pages/PublicComment.aspx
Dimensions of Competency
I have touched on this topic in previous newsletters but the DPI investigation included in the Safety Alerts this month highlights a number of issues that may be worth further consideration. In the investigation into the incident the DPI identified that each of the 3 persons involved in the task of withdrawing the 'stuck' poly pipe held an Excavator OHS certificate of proficiency. Lifting activities are also included in the assessment for this class of certificate and this allows the operator to attach loads to the machine when using it for lifting purposes.
There are however, a number of common instances where a dogman is required when using these machines for lifting such as when the load is out of direct line of sight of the operator. But it might also be prudent to consider using a dogman when lifting activities are complex.
The level of competency in lifting activities required for the dogging certificate is higher than that required for the excavator certificate, or for any other of the load-shifting classes, for that matter. Applicants for Load-shifting proficiency certificates in NSW are assessed in the planning and carrying out of basic lifts, as well as inspection of slings and equipment for the lift. Applicants for Dogging National High Risk Work Licenses are required to demonstrate proficiency in planning and conducting a wider range of more complex lifts as well as inspection of lifting equipment generally. The higher level of proficiency held by a dogman may assist in identifying potentially hazardous situations that might occur, such as when wrapping pipe with chain slings, exceeding the SWL of the equipment and incorrectly attaching the slings to the machine, all of which contributed to this unfortunate accident occurring.
Safe Work Alerts !
Here is a link to a WorkCover press release relating to a current investigation into an incident involving a pedestrian and a forklift. There is a checklist for managers and supervisors attached that you might find assists in making forklift operations in your workplace safer.
http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/newsroom/Pages/WorkCoverinvestigatesforkliftincidentatGunnedahfactory.aspx
The following is a link to an investigation report by the DPI into an incident where an excavator was used to pull poly pipe using chain slings. A contractor was fatally injured when the chain slings parted. There are a number of shortcomings in the risk assessment procedure and the application of risk controls which could have averted the unfortunate fatality.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/363717/ESG-Austin-Investigation-Report.pdf